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Inform strategy with evidence: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and client need to guide your tactical instructions. Confirm investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens global economic ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double yearly United States financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively identify which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In reaction, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in partnership with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new month-to-month boardroom discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.
This inaugural session unites board practitioners to examine the genuine pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Concerns Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulative and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber durability Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, danger oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully creating a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reliable female governance voices, and broadens access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the discussion. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, patterns, and strategies provided straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying raised however growth slowing. Total possessions held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful brand-new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related properties succeeded for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Regardless of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items bring in new capital.
Trading activity stayed stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary developments or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate durability, preserving positive development momentum recently. While disputes in the larger area and global financial uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually so far limited their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
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